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However, they insisted that the move does not amount to a "postponement" of the Brexit talks and said the UK election fits within the EU's pre-deterimned timeframe for the talks.

EU Commission chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas said: “The president considers that the real political negotiations on Article 50 with the UK will start after the elections foreseen for the 8th of June.”

Mr Schinas said there had been "no discussion on postponement" of the talks and added: "In any case the timing will not change because negotiations were meant to start in June regardless of the UK Government election decision."

Announcing the shock election yesterday, Mrs May said she was holding it on June 8 so that the contest would be done and dusted before full negotiations with the EU begin.

The PM has called the ballot to provide her with a concrete mandate to take into the negotiations in Brussels and a large majority in the House of Commons to help smooth out the process back at home.

Mr Schinas also said that the Commission would be playing "no role" in the election because it is a national matter, adding the EU will not be supporting any one side.

He said: "As we’ve already said the election campaign that is going to get started for the elections in the UK is a matter for the British voters.

"It is not up to us to intervene, we are not going to be campaigning. It is not an election debate in which the commission will have any role to play."

Politicians react to Theresa May's snap general election

Wed, April 19, 2017

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced her intention to hold an early general election on June 8